Robin McFall Receives Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/13/2002
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Robin McFall, English instructor at Tri-County Technical College, received the highest award presented to the faculty, the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence, at the College's 39th commencement May 13.

Dr. Don C. Garrison, president, presented the medallion to the Piedmont resident. The medallion is presented each year to the instructor who has contributed the most during the academic year to the profession of teaching, to the development of the College and to the students.

"When one considers the best of Tri-County's instructors, Robin McFall must come to mind," said English Department Head Dr. Marianne Taylor, who nominated her co-worker. "Her attitude and philosophy, her quality work and contributions (required and volunteered), the respect colleagues and students have for her and her dedication to and belief in education and Tri-County make her invaluable to the English department's and College's mission to provide world-class education."

Mrs. McFall began teaching at Tri-County ten years ago after working as a teacher for Anderson School Districts 1 and 3. She is an honor graduate of Palmetto High School and graduated cum laude from Clemson University with a B. S. in English. She also holds a master of education with a specialization in English from Clemson.

"Robin's lessons are interesting and paced to keep the students' attention. They include a variety of methodologies, such as multimedia presentations, question and answer periods, and group work," said Tri-County math instructor Robin Pepper, who has observed McFall's classroom for peer observations.

"She does a great job of drawing the students into the discussions. There is a sense of mutual respect in her classroom that encourages student participation," added Mrs. Pepper.

For several years, McFall has been involved in the distance learning courses and worked with Dr. Taylor to develop the English sequence. "She also is involved in the online offerings and goes to great lengths to communicate with online students in a timely manner, often logging in on weekends and from home in the evenings," said Dr. Taylor. "She has worked hard to increase retention in these classes, often going to the extra mile to reach students who seem to be giving up. Robin's door is always open to students, and they seek her out for extra help. Time and time again I see her go beyond what is required of her to help students."

In addition to teaching full time, Mrs. McFall devotes time to committee work at the College. She chaired the Academic and Administrative Support Services Committee, worked on a College-wide committee for advising and retention and is a member of the Multicultural Discussion Group. She serves as the Arts and Sciences representative for the Scholarship Committee, and last year she chaired the Arts and Sciences Committee set up to review and revise its orientation.

She also serves actively on the Faculty Senate. "Colleagues want to work with her on committees and want her to represent them in groups such as Faculty Senate," said Dr. Taylor. "They know she will take her responsibility seriously and will accurately represent their opinions and interests."

During the year, she participated in several professional development activities including the National Computers on Campus Conference, a Prentice Hall workshop on using web sites to supplement course content and to detect plagiarism, and a pedagogy conference at Claflin College.

She is a member of the National Academic Advisors' Association, as well as the National Council of Teachers of English and the S.C. chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges. Recently, she was named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers for the second time. (Only about five percent of the recipients of this honor are named more than once.)

Mrs. McFall resides in Piedmont with her husband and two children. They attend Williamston First Baptist Church where she teaches Sunday School.
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